“They are requiring people to hand in these items of their own accord.”

He said there were reports that Kashgar, Hotan and other regions had been given the same orders last week.

“We received a notification saying that every single ethnic Uyghur must hand in any Islam-related items from their own home, including Korans, prayers and anything else bearing the symbols of religion,” Mr Raxit said.

“They have to be handed in voluntarily. If they aren’t handed in, and they are found, then there will be harsh punishments.”